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Unus Alladin

Two late strikes, including a hotly-disputed penalty, finished off Nigeria as China carved out a 3-1 win in the final of the Millennium international women's tournament at Hong Kong Stadium yesterday.

 Defeat left a bitter taste in the mouth of Nigerian coach Ismaila Mabo, who thought China's second and third goals should have been disallowed.

 Mabo was incensed that Japanese referee Yayoi Watanabe had allowed play to go on instead of awarding a free-kick to Nigeria moments before Sun Wei put China ahead 2-1 in the 79th minute.

 Sun appeared to have won the ball from a Nigerian defender after picking up Bai Jie's throw-in.

 The talented attacking midfielder found space to drive the ball home from about 15 metres.

 But Mabo said: 'It was a foul on my player by the person who scored the goal. That's what we are complaining about.'  Mabo also accused Chinese midfielder Zhang Ouying of 'diving' to earn a penalty which Zhang converted in the 89th minute.

 Zhang broke through into the Nigerian box only to be sandwiched between a defender and Nigerian goalkeeper Ann Agumanu Chiejine.

 The Nigerians protested vehemently after referee Watanabe pointed to the spot and it took almost two full minutes before Zhang was allowed to step up and convert the spot kick for her second goal of the day.

 But again, Mabo saw the incident differently.

 'They did not deserve that penalty. The player took a dive which, as we all know, is not allowed in football,' he said.

 'It [the two incidents] spoiled the whole game. We came here trying to win and to give some of our new girls a chance to play. Overall, my girls gave a good account of themselves.'  Sun told reporters she couldn't have committed a foul because she was in front of the player at the time.

 'I won the ball so how could I have fouled a Nigerian player when I was in front of her?,' Sun queried.

 China had opened the scoring through Zhang in the 32nd minute.

 A lovely through ball by Jin Yan found an unmarked Zhang, who kept her composure before slotting home with a low shot.

 Nigeria's Rita Nwadike equalised two minutes later when she scored from an acute angle after Perpetua Nkwocha had provided her with a right-wing cross at the far post.

 With China dominating the second half and leaving very little in scoring opportunities to their opponents, it was only a matter of time before they went back in front.

 But spectators had to wait until the 79th minute before Sun scored China's sensational second goal.

 Chinese coach Ma Yuanan was pleased his charges had given themselves a bright start to the new millennium by winning the tournament here.

 'We came were to win and we have done that today. Physically, we were no match for Nigeria but tactically, we were better than them. The Nigerians played very simple tactics and relied on their wingers,' said Ma.



China's women seal Millennium title